Rum row

Rum Row is a term that originated during the Prohibition era in the United States, specifically between 1920 and 1933. It refers to a line of ships loaded with alcohol that would anchor beyond the territorial waters of the United States, which at the time extended only three miles out to sea. These ships would sell alcohol to smaller boats, which would then smuggle the goods back into the U.S. for distribution and sale.

History

The term "Rum Row" was coined due to the prevalence of rum among the alcoholic beverages being sold. The concept of Rum Row was not unique to the United States; similar operations existed off the coasts of other countries with restrictive alcohol policies, such as Canada and Scotland.

The ships that made up Rum Row were typically old World War I vessels, which were large enough to hold substantial quantities of alcohol. They were often owned by organized crime syndicates, who had the resources to purchase such large ships and the alcohol to fill them.

Impact

The existence of Rum Row had a significant impact on the United States during Prohibition. It was a major source of the illegal alcohol that flooded the country during this time, contributing to the rise of organized crime and the widespread disregard for Prohibition laws.

Despite efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard to shut down Rum Row, the operation continued largely unabated until the end of Prohibition in 1933. The repeal of Prohibition laws led to the disbandment of Rum Row, as there was no longer a need for such large-scale smuggling operations.

See also

• Prohibition in the United States
• Speakeasy
• Bootlegging
• Organized crime